Sr. RFIC Layout Designer; RFIC Engineering

Sr. RFIC Layout Designer (RFIC Engineering)

Irvine, CA

SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars, leveraging experience from rocket and spacecraft engineering to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest broadband internet satellite constellation. We are seeking best‑in‑class engineers to maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses worldwide.

• Work with IC designers and chip leads to determine chip floor plans, including power and ground distribution strategies and pad locations in coordination with packaging engineers.
• Accurately estimate layout schedules and identify areas requiring early investigation.
• Perform custom RF and analog block layouts, focusing on matching and minimizing parasitic capacitance.
• Conduct design rule checking, electrical rule checking, and layout versus schematic checks, and resolve any errors.
• Integrate top‑level layouts with electrostatic discharge structures, pad assemblies, and finalize tape‑out (density fill, design‑for‑manufacturability checks, and GDS delivery to the foundry).
• Collaborate with EDA suppliers to trial new tools and features.
• Generate guides and demos to showcase layout technique improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering and 5+ years of professional IC layout design experience; or 8+ years of professional IC layout design experience in lieu of a degree.

• Strong analog layout skills.
• Experience in advanced node IC layouts (22 nm, 16 nm, 7 nm, 5 nm or below).
• Experience designing circuits up to 50 GHz.
• Experience with sensitive RF blocks such as low‑noise amplifiers, voltage‑controlled oscillators, and mixers.
• Experience with skill programming, shell scripting, Perl, Python, or similar.
• Experience managing revision control systems.
• Understanding of layout considerations for device matching, coupling, and noise isolation.
• Working knowledge of Linux.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently on challenging problems.

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to meet critical milestones.

Pay range:
RFIC Layout Designer/Senior
: $ – $ per year. Base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Compensation includes potential long‑term incentives (company stock, stock options, long‑term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and an employee stock purchase plan. Benefits include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance;

paid parental leave; 3 weeks of paid vacation; 10 or more paid holidays per year; and 5 days of sick leave for exempt employees.

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR compliance.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and is not influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should contact